The Individual Tax Identification Number, or ITIN, allows taxpayers who don't have a Social Security Number (SSN) to file income tax returns. Unlike other forms of ID, ITINs only have one purpose—tax filing and reporting. Having an ITIN number won't make you eligible for benefits, such as Social Security or earned income credits that provide refunds to some low-income filers.
The ITIN is a nine-digit number that's formatted similarly to an SSN. To apply for an ITIN, you must complete IRS Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. This single-page application will require your:
- Name and birth name, if different
- Birthdate and birthplace
- Identification documents to accompany the application, such as a passport, driver's license or state-issued ID
- Foreign status or immigration documents in original form or certified copies
If you’ve used an ITIN in the past, you must provide the prior identification number on your application.
Application Process
For most taxpayers, the due date to file an income tax return in 2020 is mid-July. Submitting an application past the tax due date may result in interest or penalties, so apply for an ITIN either before your income tax return is due or at the time of filing.
You should expect to hear back from the IRS about your approval status after no more than seven weeks — look for a letter in the mail with your ITIN when your application is approved.
Double-check your application for missing pieces of information or errors before you submit it, as applications that are incomplete (for example, lacking proper identification or immigration documents) can take longer than seven weeks to process. If seven weeks go by and you haven’t received a response, you can check the status of your ITIN application by calling the IRS toll-free at 800-829-1040.
Other options for applying for an ITIN:
Please see Lina and Leonard's replies above for more information. @pkpatel337
**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post
**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"
